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Our mothers are the link to our past: they maintain family ties and become their daughter’s role models for aging.

The duration of the parent-child relationship is longer than at any other time in history. Debra Umberson, author of Death of a Parent: Transition to a New Adult Identity, reports that demographic trends toward increased longevity have created a situation in which, during most of her adult years, a daughter will have at least one living parent, usually her mother.

This relationship is likely to be the longest relationship she will have with anyone in her lifetime. Several studies have described the mother-daughter relationship as one of the strongest family bonds as women grow into middle age. Daughters tend to become friends and companions with their mothers, discovering like views, values and increased closeness. Many daughters will also become the primary caregiver to their mothers during this time.

In a culture where the death of an old person is seen as expected and timely, a woman whose mother dies may be surprised by the intensity of her grief. She may experience a lack of support from those closest to her, changes in family relationships and a coming to terms with her own mortality. In this three-session series, Hospice of Mercy will deliver insight into the unique type of grief experienced by adult daughters whose mothers have died. The facilitator will provide curriculum-based education about this distinctive grief as well as opportunities for participants to share their experiences through group support.